Basque culture celebrated in Denio with dinner and dancing
Basque culture recently engulfed the small community of Denio.
On Saturday, April 18, people flocked to the tiny town, located 100 miles north of Winnemucca, to enjoy an authentic Basque dinner, Basque dancing and craft show held by the Jackson Mountain Homemakers.
Entertainment was provided by the Winnemucca Irrintzi Dancers. The rapid foot-work, high jumps and kicks, enthusiastic rhythm and addictive energy of the dancers had guests mesmerized. Performers ranged from age 3 to adult.
The home-cooked meal prepared by the Jackson Mountain Homemakers included a menu of: lamb stew, chorizo, Basque beans, potatoes, salad, bread, wine, flan and other authentic Basque desserts. Jo and Frank Bidart, of Winnemucca, were instrumental in helping to maintain the authenticity of the meal.
Fresh lamb for the stew was provided by Dufurrena Sheep Company, and several food items were donated by Khoury’s Market. Local crafters also showcased their beautiful, handmade items and wares at the event. Table decorations for the dinner were made by Denio School students and homeschoolers. In addition, traditional Sheepherder bread loaves made by Delia Nuffer, Ginny Dufurrena, Crystal Brennen and Terri Peters were auctioned off.
The Jackson Mountain Homemakers is a nonprofit organization of women from the Denio area dedicated to helping the community, local schools and those in need. Founded in 1981, all profits earned by the Jackson Mountain Homemakers go directly to helping others. Just a few of the things this group has done in recent years include: providing money to help pay the medical expenses of children-in-need of the community, providing the funds for a music teacher for the Denio School, sponsoring local students attending educational trips to Washington., D.C., purchasing needed equipment or supplies for the local school not paid for by the school district, donating money to the Denio Library and Humboldt County Museum, and donating a buckle each year to the Denio Barbecue and kids events.
The group has raised money through the years with a variety of fundraisers including their Partyline Cookbook which can be purchased at the Humboldt County Museum, Denio Junction and Orovada Sawtooth Station.
In the early years, one of the founding members, Dale DeLong, used to make denim quilts by repurposing worn-out jeans into beautiful, tough and very practical quilts.
Members of the group would help finish and tie the quilts to be raffled off to raise funds. In keeping with this tradition, the door prize given at the recent Basque dinner was a traditional, denim, buckaroo, bedroll-quilt made by Dale DeLong’s granddaughter, Christy Wright from Yerington, and donated by a local homemaker member. The quilt, which was the 355th denim quilt made by Christy, was won by Rob Nuffer, of Denio. Various items donated by crafters and homemaker members were also raffled off at the event.
Homemakers groups were very common in numerous areas 50 or more years ago, but are now primarily a thing of the past. Despite this, the Jackson Mountain Homemakers, which includes not only traditional homemakers but also career women from various backgrounds, remains strong and continues in its quest to help others.
The Jackson Mountain Homemakers would like to thank all those that helped, donated to, and attended this event.